St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.

Columbia have done all in their power
to make Sunday blue in Washington
They have resurrected the old closing
laws which have long mouldered in the
statute book and are rigldly enforcing
them. Not only saloons, but every sort
of an establishment where trade is car
ried on for profit, except apothecary
shops and undertaking establishments,
are to be tightly closed.
Yesterday was the second Sunday
since the old, new law went into effect.
On the preceding Sunday crowds OF
thirsty men were seen leaving the
dry city and going in the direction OF
the taverns on the country roads III the
vicinity. Long before dark the subur-
ban bars were closed not because it
was Sunday, but because Their supply
of LIQUIDS was exhausted. TAele was
no deficiency yesterday at these places.
During the week beer wagons and
grocery teams from the city stocked all
the country hotels, taverns and road
houses with liquor sufficient to supply
the expected demand.
A Close observer OF the Cabinet has
discovered, and given to the world the
result OF his researches, that the only
total abstainer who sits at Mr.. Cleye
lands Council Board is Attorney
General Garland. He also discovered
that Secretary Whitney's liquor bills
were very large, owing to his liberal
hospitality. 1t anything were needed,
however, to demonstrate the leaning OF
the President towards the temperance
cause, it is only necessary to point to
the recent example set III this respect
by the mistress OF the White House,
who without the least trace OF fanai-
cism or intolerance, occupies the posi-
ton that the drinking OF intoxicating
liquors is neither a proper thing to do
nor to encourage. 1t will be remem-
bered that when at the Diplomatic
State dinner the customary seven or
eight wines were served, as usual, to
the guests, Mrs. Cleveland took only
water.
Mrs. Cleveland's interesting personali
ty continues to afford much material
for the gossips and the press. Her
most trivial sayings and dolngs, and
many things which she has never said
Or done, are constantly printed. She
is now enjoying a season OF quiet re-
tirement and rest at the Presidents
country place, Oak View and has not
been to the White House for fort
night.
The novel proposition has been made
that all the ladies who have presided as |
hostess of the Executive Mansion
make arrangements for meeting and |
reception in Washington. All the
former Presidents have passed away,
but there are still living eleven ladies
who have occupied the position Of first
lady Of the land. These are the widow
of President Tyler and Mrs. Semple,
her STEP daughter, now an inmate of
the Louise Home in this city, who,
during the period between her own
mothers death and the second mar
Eiage Of her father, was the head Of his
household at the White House. Then
there are the widow of President Polk,
and Mrs. johnson, the niece Of Presi-
dent Buchanan, who was for four wears
the mistress OF the Mansion; Mrs. Pat
terson, the daughter OF President John
son Mrs. Grant, who had it for four;
Mrs. alfield, who had it only six
months Mrs. McElroy, the late Presi-
dent ArLhur's sister, who was lady of
the White House during part of each
Of the three years of his term Miss
Rose Cleveland, who reigned fifteen
months, and lastly, the young wife Of
The President.
When, last evening, General George
Sheridan repeated by request, his lee
ture on The Modern Pagan which
was, by the way an attack and refuta-
ion of Ingersollism, he was introduced
10 the audience by the Lieutenant
General OF the Army. They are friends
md admirers OF each other but are not I
elatiEes. The lecturer says he is con- :
family asked what relation he is to ,
Senera Phil He answered the ques-
ion humOrOusly once, III political
peech. So that there can be no pos
IDLE Misunderstanding said he, | will
tate that / am neither his father nor
lis brother nor his cousin nor his uncle
or his wife's aunt's sisters mother-in-
aw.' In fact, he was no possible rela- {
lon OF the great soldier. i
General George as he is called by
is friends, owes his title OF General +.
; having once been Acknowledgement
Louisiana. He was elected to the I
orty third Congress from that state, q
ut his election was contested by ex- I
Governor Pinchback, and he was not i
Warded his seat until the closing hours s
the last day of the last session, just :
time to draw his pay for two years :
'rvice, mileage, and expenses of con- :
sI, amounting in all to about 70 urteen